Firearm certificates for under 18s

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/25/008455/A

Version Date: 25/07/2025

The Alliance Operations Department has provided the following information.

18. A) The number of firearm and/or shotgun certificates held by people under the age of 18, with a total number for each age.
    (eg. 17-year-olds = 100 certificates, etc.)
    
    As at 14 July 2025, 50 of the 26,872 firearm certificate holders are under the age of 18.

1. B) If possible, a list of reasons for firearm ownership among non-adults, with a total number of certificates issued for each.
   (eg. Sporting = 20 certificates, Collection = 10 certificates, etc.)
   If part B is not possible, then data just for part A would satisfy this request.
   
   

We do not hold this data in a structured format, therefore no recorded information is held. Outside of the Act, our experienced supervisors have found that the general theme for younger certificate holders relates to holders relates to their use in clubs or being part of a farming family or business involved in shooting.